New Delhi
25 October 2007
Head of Israel's National Security Council Ilan Mizrahi has said that
he is "100 per cent" certain that Iran is in the "process" of attaining military nuclear
capabilities and that Israel will use a mix of military and political means to counter the
threat posed by a nuclear-armed Iran.
Mizrahi, who is a former deputy head of Israeli secret service Mossad, told a gathering
of diplomats and strategic analysts in New Delhi that the present sanctions are not
stopping Iran from pursuing its nuclear programme and "much more firm" sanctions are
needed. "Military option should be on the table," he asserted.
At the same time, he conceded that financial sanctions have caused some unrest inside
Iran, adding cryptically that one should not be too pessimistic to see a "new Iran". He
maintained that the chances of forcing Iran to roll back its nuclear programme will
depend on the firm stand of the international community.
"I don't know how close Iran is [to attaining military nuclear capabilities] ... could be
months, could be tomorrow ... but Iran is in the process [of getting there.] I am certain ...
100 per cent ... it is not a fairy tale or global bluff. It threatens free flow of energy,
threatens West Asia and the world," the official said.
Mizrahi believed that disintegration of Iraq would mean Iran will become a hegemonic
power in the region, with disastrous consequences for the Arab world and West Asia.
"Iran really wants to dominate Persian Gulf but it cannot be a huge power without hurting
the independence of the Gulf states," he said.
"Disintegration of Iraq is a threat to the Gulf states. Moreover, Iran's going nuclear will
force the Arab world to go nuclear. The fear of Iran will make more countries want to
pursue nuclear programmes," he said, referring to the Domino effect that Iran's nuclear
programme will have on the countries of the region.
"Israel," he went on to assert, "is not the prime issue in the Middle East, radical Iran is"
and the world must seize this opportunity and use this time to reach a settlement with
Israel. He sought to suggest that senior Al-Qaeda members are stationed in Tehran and
called for imposition of stricter sanctions "gradually".
The official argued that the Wall that Israel began constructing in 2003 is actually a
"fence" and erecting it has helped to reduce dramatically the number of incidents of
terrorist activities carried out against civilians in Israel. "The fence," he emphasised, "is
not an obstacle to peace with Palestine."
He said that "pragmatic" Palestinian leaders like President Mahmoud Abbas were keen
to strike a deal with Israel but they did not have "political or practical power" behind
them. "Hamas has said it will try its best to sabotage, [so] it's a gamble for us but the
Prime Minister (Ehud Olmert) said I'll start a dialogue," he said.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are
expected to travel to the United States next month for a summit meeting at Annapolis in
Maryland. Washington has not yet set a date for the US-sponsored peace summit or
even formally announced who will attend.
Mizrahi said that a flourishing radical Islamic theological thinking in Pakistan poses a
threat to Israel because it could affect other radical Muslim movements in West Asia and
there is also an added risk of Pakistani missles and nuclear weapons falling into wrong
hands. "So we are worried," he added for good measure.
Turning his focus on Syria, he said that Syria is a part of the radical axis and but "deep
down" there is suspicion between Damascus and Tehran. "Syria should make up its
mind whether to go back to the Arab world, where it rightfully belongs, or to join the
radical elements led by Iran," he observed.
Respoding to a question after delivering his lecture on the "Trends and Challenges in the
Middle East and Beyond" at the Indian Council of World Affairs, Mizrahi said that Israel
is not against the proposed India-United States nuclear deal but it will prefer a "criteria-
based policy" for ease of decision-making in future.
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